Irish-Israeli Emily Hand has been reunited with her family after being held hostage by Hamas for 50 days.

The nine year old girl and 13 other hostages were transported to Egypt before being identified by the Red Cross and flown to a hospital in Israel.

Emily was reunited with her father, Dublin-born Tom Hand, and other family members in hospital.

"Emily has come back to us," the Hand family said in a statement.

"We can't find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days.

"We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again, but at the same time, we remember all the hostages who have yet to return."

Emily Hand reunited with her father, Dublin-born Tom Hand, in an Israeli hospital, 25/11/2023. Image: AP/Alamy

The nine-year-old girl was originally thought to have been killed on October 7th.

The second hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas went ahead late last night after an agonising delay for the families of those now freed.

Israel allowed 39 Palestinians to leave two prisons as part of the truce deal, while 17 hostages from the Gaza Strip were freed by the militant group.

'Touched by Emily's story'

Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has said he is “delighted” Emily has been released. 

“After weeks of trauma, this is a precious and deeply moving moment for the Hand family,” he said. 

“The people of Ireland have been touched by Emily’s story, her innocence and the quiet dignity and determination of her father, Tom."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Emily's father and half-sister Natali have been "channelling their sorrow and campaigning tirelessly for Emily’s release".

"Since our country first heard that she may still be alive, we have hoped beyond hope that her name would be on one of the lists of hostages to be released," he said.

Hostages released

President Michael D Higgins also said the release of Emily "brings to an end what has been a horrific time for all of her family".

"I also welcome the release of Shoshan Haran, and of Adi, Naveh and Yahel Shoham, whose relatives I also met with the Hand family," he said.

"While we particularly recognise this important moment as an Irish-Israeli child is released, we must also retain a focus on what is now needed - a durable ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and a commitment from all sides to engaging in the task of building what can be an enduring peace.”

On Friday, 13 Israeli nationals were released by Hamas through the Rafah Crossing into Egypt while 39 Palestinian prisoners were due to be released.

Today, Hamas is to release at least 50 hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners.